Shelby's POV

When we arrived at the pack house gate there were already so many people there, our pack contained about 500 werewolf families totaling well over 20,000 individuals. Elite families from neighboring packs had been invited as well, Trevor squeezed my hand "It will all be ok," he knew I hated going to these public events. Though most people were fine with the idea of a female beta, my father always managed to ruin the peace once he started drinking. I prayed that tonight would be different.

We were escorted to a special line for elite families and we got out of the car within a few minutes. Once again Trevor held his arm out for me and I took it, walking up the stairs getting ready to face thousands of praying eyes to wonder why I was being escorted by the neighboring Alpha. Once we got inside I noticed some of the staff looking at me with sad expressions, brushing it off as pity glances from being dumped I continued walking.

"Shelby," A voice called and I turned around. It was Luna Cross, James's mother, I had always loved and respected her. "Alpha Trevor," she greeted.

"Luna!" I was slightly shocked to see her. "What can I do for you?" I asked bowing my head slightly in respect.

"There has been a bit of a change to the seating plan," she said awkwardly. "Instead of being at our table with the rest of the pack leaders. I thought it would be better if you sat with Amanda. I heard about the breakup and just..."

"I understand Luna," she did not want me to harm her son or anyone else during the ball. I truly did understand.

"Thank you so much," I heard the sorrow in her voice but could not understand it. "I will see you in there," she was using her fake smile and I could not understand.
Trevor and I went into the ball room to socialize when I saw Amanda. She looked slightly upset and when she saw me with Trevor, she looked pissed. I looked down to see what she was looking at and realized that Trevor was still holding my hand. "We've talked about this," I told him gesturing to our hands.

"I'm sorry," He scratched the back of his head and let my hand go.

"Glad to see you made it," Amanda said when she had got to us. 'I thought I told you not to be stupid,' She mind linked me.

'We've held hands since we were kids! It didn't mean anything,' I argued.

"If you are going to fight, I suggest doing it out loud. At least than I will have something entertaining," Trevor commented.

"We aren't fighting," I stated.

"Yet," Amanda said. I sent her a glare and she put her hands up in surrender. "James is about to make an announcement. Let's go listen," Amanda lead the way purposely getting in between Trevor and I. She grabbed my arm and linked it with hers so that I was stuck on that side of her. I could feel Trevor's anger from where I was but he would not do anything to Amanda, he knew what she meant to me.

The room began to fill, and I was starting to wonder what could be so important. Normally these things went like 'Another year with peace. May the friendship continue, blah, blah, blah,' then all of the adults get drunk and the kids go home. However, there was an eerie feeling in the air that made me step closer to Amanda and hug her arm. She did not look at me, but she placed her hand over mine as if saying everything will be fine.

"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for coming out tonight," I heard his voice and my eyes immediately found his. Even after everything we had been through part of me still loved the way his eyes softened when they met mine. This time was different though, he looked in pain for just one second, then tore his eyes away looking everywhere but me. "This year though we are still glad for the peace," there was polite laughter throughout the room, but I remained silent in my confusion. "This year I have a special announcement. As many of you know I have been hesitant to pick a Beta, but I am proud to announce that I have finally made a decision," his eyes finally looked at me and I was getting ready to step forward when I heard the name he called. "Thomas Knight," I took a step back in disbelief. This is why his mom asked me not to be at the table with them. She knew he had chosen and that it was not going to be me. I looked to Amanda, who was watching my reaction and squeezed my hand.

'Just make it through dinner,' her eyes softened. 'We can leave as soon as it is done, but we have to at least appear at dinner,' I nodded. I knew she was right, I just could not believe it, first he dumps me than he didn't chose me to be his beta. I was beyond furious now.

"Now, if you all will join me in the dining room, we have some celebrating to do," James's voice echoes and was met with cheers.

As we were sitting waiting for food, I could feel all eyes on me. I knew what they wanted; I was not living up to my nickname crimson flame. I had somehow managed to remain calm and people were just waiting for me to explode. 'breathe,' I heard Amanda's voice in my head. She was keeping me sane, reminding me that I was better than a violent outburst while we were celebrating peace. As Amanda promised we were out of there as soon as dinner ended and heading back to my place. I had left Trevor there as it would have caused a bigger scandal if he were to leave with us.

"Are you ok?" Amanda asked.

"You would not be asking if you didn't already know the answer," She nodded and turned the car off in my driveway. "What are you doing?"

"My best friend is sad; I am staying the night and we are having a good old fashion girls night. Think about the positive in two days you will be 16, old enough to find a mate," she winked at me. I could not help but laugh.

That night, we ate ice cream and made fun of romantic comedies while in our pajamas. It was the best and reminded me why I was so thankful for her. But all good things have to come to an end. So, when the sun rose the next day, I was sad, but I had learned not to show it.

After saying goodbye to Amanda, I went to find my father in his study. "Did you know?" I asked him, slamming the door open.

"I am the serving Beta, I was informed of the decision," he said.

"When were you going to tell me?" I had asked my father.

"James has chosen another to be his beta and so his training has started," My dad had replied calmly.

"That isn't fair, I have been training with him since we were born. I am the obvious choice and isn't Mr. future Alpha a little young to make decisions?"

"That is not for me to say. And not fair is me having you instead of a son,"

"So, you agree," I chose to not touch on the subject of my gender, I would leave that argument for another day.

"I told you I cannot comment," My dad said starting to get annoyed.

"Right sorry sir, I am going to take a walk, if that is alright with you, Sir?" I asked sarcastically.

"Shelby please don't blame me for this," My father knew what I was doing but it was too late.

"Don't worry, I don't," with that I slammed the door to his office and ran through the house out the back into the woods.

"Be back before midnight," he called after me. Not that I was listening.

I had been running for hours, I could not feel my legs, but I was not turning back. He humiliated me without even thinking. I was meant to be his beta, but he probably chose Thomas instead, probably just because I was a girl. He was so sexist I fought just as well as he did if not better. I sure as hell studied harder. I became so lost in thought, I did not know where I was, and I could not see anything. I looked at my watch 11:59 PM.

"Shit," I said as I tried to retrace my steps. I had managed to get a couple of feet away from where I had been then I feel to the ground in pain. 'Not now' I thought as my bones cracked and I screamed in pain and tears were rolling down my face. I heard someone getting closer, but I was in too much pain to be able to pick up their scent to tell who it was. This would be my first shift since I was 15, I never remembering the shift. I usually would just avoid shifting, it wasn't hard since my beta training forced my human body to be stronger.

"Its going to be ok just breathe," I knew that voice he had a lot of nerve showing up here. I tried to growl to give warning to stay away but my shoulder popped out of place mid growl. My growl had turned into a whimper.

"I guess you heard then," he sighed. "I suppose I will tell you since you won't remember this anyway" he pulled my shaking body into his chest. He took a deep breath and said the one thing I had always wanted to hear but never thought it would come. "I love you, Shelby, you are intelligent, and you work hard, not to mention you are stunning. The way your green eyes light up when you best me in training. I could never put you in the same danger that I will have to put Thomas in. He understands the position and to be frank he is stronger than you are. He can protect himself better than you can," He pushed me away right as my transformation finished.

After my transformation finished my wolf sat there for a minute. I blinked a couple of times and the only thing I remember him saying was that Thomas was stronger than me, my blood boiled but I could not bring myself to hurt him. A tear slipped out of my wolf's eye. James looked at me, he reached his hand out like he wanted to feel my fur. A growl slipped, not that I regretted it, I was not weak, and I would show him one day I am going to surpass him in strength.

"Shift back," he attempted to use his Alpha command on me.

I snapped in response, probably not the smartest decision I made. He raised an eyebrow as if saying 'excuse me'.

"Let's try that again, Shift Back," this came across as a threat. Never less I held my position, my paws dug into the ground holding my fight stance. "Don't say I didn't warn you," he sighed as he shifted. He did so flawlessly then again, he was a year older than I was. In less than a second, a beautiful black wolf stood in front of me the tip of his tail was white. I thought that it was funny his eyes were black; he was pissed but so was I. Now that we were on fair playing levels, I saw no reason not to start circling him, I was not weak. He lunged first but he did not put his full effort into the attack because he wanted this to be over. I tried to bite his neck, but he got under me then threw me into a tree. He cracked a rib or two.

'Shift Back' His voice echoed in my mind.

I gave up at that point, after shifting for the first time then being hurled into a tree, I was too exhausted to fight him right now. I will win against him later. My body relaxed and my bones cracked back into place causing me to scream again. When I open my eyes again James is in front of me holding out a shirt. As soon as I take it, he turns away and starts walking back behind a tree. He shifts back and changed. I quickly put on the shirt which was way to long for my figure. He came back around the tree and for the first time I noticed the difference in our height, he was about 6 feet tall and still growing and I was around 5 foot 4 inches. I looked up to him then fell back onto the tree my ribs hurt badly. He seemed annoyed but he picked me up and took me back to my house. I fell asleep on the way back.

I woke up the next morning in my bed not remembering how I had got there, slowly parts of the previous night had come back to me. I challenged the future Alpha after he called me weak. I looked at my desk and there was a note on it. I got out of bed and took a step my whole body was in pain. I suppose I was a little sore from shifting. I got to my desk and opened the letter.

'Dear Shelby,

I will keep last night a secret, but you will owe me for that. I hope you learned your lesson, don't make me punish you again. I make my decisions for the good of the pack. Happy 16th birthday. Don't forget you owe me.

James'

Ugh I had really done it this time. Now I owed a favor to the biggest ass in school. He had really changed since we were kids. Since starting high school, he was a real jerk, cocky, and a pain in my ass. He was the definition of a jock. He had all the girls falling at his feet, even though all of them were only after the power they would have if his wolf recognized them as his mate. I hated him so much. I threw the note down on my desk and went to the bathroom connected to my bedroom. I turned the shower on hot and stripped down. Wait who changed me last night? I'll ask him later. I got into the shower and let the hot water burn my skin. The water relaxed my muscles and speed up the healing process on those ribs that had cracked. My mind drifted to school, the first day was tomorrow. I'll have Amanda over later today to pick out outfits for the first day of school after all we had skipped a grade and would be junior with James. I wonder what favor he will have me do. I needed to stop worrying about it. After finishing my shower, I realized I forgot to grab clothes to change into. I dried myself off then covered up with my white silk robe, I went to my bedroom with my wet brown hair resting on my shoulders.

"That's a nice look shorty, but maybe you should put more clothes on for tomorrow or don't I'm sure you will make quite the impression on all of the horny unmated male wolves," His annoying voice called out from the chair in the corner next to my bed.

"The hell are you doing in my room pervert?" I screamed at him.

"Well your dad let me up here to check on you he was grateful that I brought his only daughter home after a transformation my little white wolf,"

"At least turn around I have to get dressed dumbass," I said watching my temper this time I didn't need him having any more leverage on me.

"I saw plenty last night, and you didn't complain," he said shrugging getting up and walking toward me.

"Shut up," I said walking backward to avoid running into him.

"That's no way to speak to your future Alpha," He continued toward me.

"Cut that shit you aren't the Alpha yet," I continued walking backward. I should almost be at my closet door now.

"One day that temper of yours will get you in trouble, Scarlet," He kept walking. What was he trying to accomplish?

"I have yet to have a problem with it," My back collided with the door, I was trapped I put my arm behind me to reach for the handle.

"You are forgetting about last night doll face," He grabbed my wrists and pinned them on either side of my head. He brought his face down to mine and looked me in the eye. "Out of things to say. That's not like you beautiful," he brought his lips to my ear. My face was bright red and I could smell desire though I was not sure which one of us it was coming from. My heart was beating too fast for me to focus. I knew he could hear it too because he had that sexy smirk that he had when he knew something I didn't. "You might want to get dressed before our hormones get the best of us," he let go of my wrists then I slammed my closet door in his face and locked it not that it would stop him if he wanted to get in.

I took a breath calming my pulse before turning to get dressed. I wonder what that was about. I shook it off he was probably just being mean. He did not mean anything he just said after all he views me as weak and he is the big bad future Alpha of our pack. I chose a red button-down with a black pencil skirt. I put on my favorite knee-high black stockings and my black heels. I put my hair up into a ponytail, I check myself out in the mirror. I undid a couple of buttons, but I made sure I still looked professional. I unlocked the door and walked out.

"Are you serious?" His voice called out, his voice showing a hint of entertainment.

"You're still here?" My voice was laced with my irritation.

"I have to talk to you,"

"About?"

"Sit with me," he was too calm. Never less I walked to the small meeting area in my room, there were two chairs with a table between them. "Ouch we use to sit on the bed together," he said with a fake hurt expression. I just rolled my eyes and sat down, He made his way across the room and sat next to me.

"What did you need so desperately to talk about?" I asked.

"We need to talk about your training," he replied with a serious face.

"I am not your beta anymore. The only training, I have is in gym class and any other self-defense class that I decide to take,"

"Shelby this is serious. I am sorry but I can not take you as my beta, Thomas is a better fit and I know that part of you agrees because you do not view me as your Alpha. As we just witnessed you have feelings for me. So, you could not perform the job properly with those feelings," He said. "That is not what I came here to talk about though. Shelby, your wolf is white, do you know why that would cause me to ask you to go through additional training?"

"First off, I do not have feelings for you, my face was red from the heat of the shower. Secondly, a white wolf is the mark of a descendant of a breading within species for example wolf and angel or a wolf and a fairy. Implying that the wolf would have another transformation and magical powers, but they don't exist," I stated.

"Then explain this," He set a picture down on the table. There was a white wolf with bright blue eyes in the middle of the forest.

"That is my wolf?"

"Yes, I took the picture before I was forced to shift,"

"I am sorry, I was upset that you rejected me as your beta then had the audacity to call me weak," I apologized for my actions from the previous night.

"It is fine, just don't do it again," He had done it again, his voice was soft, but I don't know why.

"Last night, what exactly happened? I don't remember much,"

"Nothing out of the ordinary," He shifted uncomfortably at the question. "Your training will happen after dark, except for tomorrow we will be met at 4, due to a party. I would prefer if people did not know about it for the time being," he got up and walked to the door, so I followed suit.

"I will see you at school," I said when we reached the door.

"Yea see you at school," He looked into my eyes and I thought he looked down to my lips for a second, but I was probably mistaken. But then he leaned in, my heart rate increased. His eyes stayed locked on mine his lips pulled into a smirk. "You do like me," he said then walked out of the door.

"Asshole," I said knowing his hearing would pick it up but knowing him his smirk just got bigger. I went back to my closet and grabbed my house key and my phone. I waited until I heard his Dodge charger leave my house to go down to see my dad before leaving to go to Amanda's house.

"Good Morning Dad," I said grabbing a granola bar.

"Good morning Shelby" He was fixing his tie.

"I'm sorry about last night, I was out of line,"

"For future reference, I would appreciate if you did not come home passed out in his arms wearing his shirt. I have nothing against our future Alpha, but you are not his mate. She would have wanted me to be there too," He referred to my mother.

"It was painful, what else did you expect it to be? Do you believe in white wolves?" I asked ignoring his attempt to make me talk about my deceased mother.

"Though rare they do exist," He answered, but did not want to press the sudden topic change.

"I am going to Amanda's we have to get ready to go back to school tomorrow. I'm taking the Camaro," I said before he could press me farther. "Have fun at your meeting, do not forget your jacket again. It is hanging in the front closet, ironed," I walked out the door grabbing my own jacket, purse and keys.

I moved the car to Amanda's driveway and walked up to the door, Amanda answered.

"Hey, everything ok?" She asked.

"Do I look that upset?"

"It is your birthday, and you are dressed like you have 10 back to back meetings with men who don't value your expertise,"

"Well, then I am two meetings down. Get in the car we are going to the mall, I'll explain on the way," I said.

"You just had to bring your red flashy car I suppose that means James visited you today, that and his car leaves quite the mark on the road," She replied laughing.

"Just get in the car," I said as I turned to walk to the car. She grabbed her purse and met me in the car.

I started the engine and back down her driveway and headed to the mall to get school supplies. "So, I transformed last night. James was there, I don't remember much of it you know between wolf fighting for freedom and the pain," I started to explain.

"I remember there is no pain like the first transformation," She said. Her transformation was last year.

"Anyway after getting out of the shower today I forgot my clothes, so I walked out in my robe to find him in my bedroom, and he pinned me to my closet door and threatened me to wear appropriate clothes to school tomorrow so I don't have unmated wolves all over me. When he finally let me get dressed, he had the audacity to tell me that he thinks I am weak and that he gave the future beta position to Thomas. Not that I am shocked, but who does he think he is telling me what I can wear and that I am not strong enough. He even accused me of having feelings for him like how self-centered is he?" I ranted as I drove the short drive to the city.

"Well in his defense you did have feelings for him, and he does seem to always be able to bring them back to the surface. What if he were your mate?" She offered up an answer.

"No, he can't be, my mate will not be as cocky or arrogant or...." I lost track of what I was saying. "You have got to be fucking kidding me,"

"What?" Amanda asked surprised until she looked around and saw him with his friends and a new girl hanging all over him.

"How did he know I was going to be here? Is that Sara?" It hurt to see him with someone else. Her blonde hair was up in a ponytail and her large chest pressed against him. The way his arm fit around her waist. To be honest, she was stunningly beautiful, but she was a whore.

"You ok?" Amanda asks when I spin my tires right by his car into a parking spot not too far away so that he can still see me, but he won't try to approach.

"I... Let's just go shopping," I get out of the car grabbing my purse and locking the car.

"Hey, smile. Boys hate it when you are happy without them," Amanda says catching up to me. I had always apricated her advice. So, I smile and laugh and my blonde friend because she always made me happy when he made me sad. "That's better," Amanda said smiling. We kept pace pretty while since we were the about same height. Now that I think about it, Amanda could be my blonde-haired, blue-eyed twin. We walk into the store and grab a cart.

"What do we need for classes again?" I ask her just to break the silence.

"A couple of folders, some binders, notebooks, a new outfit to bring the future Alpha's minions to their knees. Do you want new pens?" Amanda said with a wicked grin.

"I would love some new pens," I loved pens especially rolling ball pens. We decided that we should do outfits first so we wouldn't have to carry everything to the clothing department.

"This would look so good on you," Amanda said holding up a black V-neck long sleeve crop top.

"I was just going to say that to you, Mandy," I replied holding up a white off-the-shoulder crop top. We laughed at our similar timing. I had found a red high-waisted skater skirt and Amanda had gone and found black ripped jeans. We went to the changing rooms to try on the outfits. I put mine on and stared into the mirror. This outfit highlighted my hourglass figure and brought attention to my cleavage. "Mandy are you sure about this?" I asked.

"Yes, show me," we both walked out of our rooms. I looked at her and she looked stunning, her curves were not as drastic as mine, but she still had an hourglass figure her chest was smaller than mine, but she was beautiful.

"You have to wear that, with your high socks and those black combat boots," she managed to breathe out between laughter.

"Fine wear yours with that white converse that I got you for your birthday," I replied.

We continued shopping grabbing a couple of binders and everything we needed for classes, including a pen that said, 'girl boss'. I grabbed new school-issued shorts and a shirt for gym class. "I hate how short the school's shorts are," I said after buying everything.

"I know my ass is always hanging out," Amanda replies.

"It is like the school wants the jock squad to fuck in the locker rooms,"

"I know," Amanda said.

"Lunch?" I asked noticing the time. We had finished shopping anyway.

"A&W?" We say in unison.

We ordered our food then sat down to eat when I noticed our future alpha nearby. I hate that I can sense his presence it is almost like his wolf sets my wolf on high alert. I hope Mandy isn't right about him being my mate. His body is killer but his attitude sucks.

"You are thinking about his six-pack, again, aren't you?" Mandy interrupted my thoughts with a wink.

At first, I was confused then I remembered that he could hear me, and she loved to play games as much as I did. "How can I not? He was so sweet, and his body killed me," I said smiling because I could feel his agitation. It is funny how much the thought of me thinking about another male annoys him.

"I suppose you have a point," Amanda said. We continued eating while talking about this imaginary guy.

"I have been thinking about getting a boyfriend not that I need one but there is this guy that has caught my attention recently," I said to Amanda actually thinking about asking out Trevor, he was one of James's friends though they did not hang out that much it was more or less a mutual respect for one another type deal.

"Oh?" Amanda giggled out looking over at James something in her eyes told me not to look. I don't listen very well. I turned my head slightly so that I could see him in my peripheral vision only to have my heart shattered. He was kissing Sara. I'm asking Trevor out tomorrow no doubt about it. Why wouldn't I, he was nice, sweet, and hot.

"Let's go we have a big day tomorrow," I said as I rushed up and grabbed over half the bags and practically ran to the car throwing everything into the back seat. Why did it have to hurt this much?

"Hey slow down," Amanda said getting into the car putting the rest of the bags in the back.

"Mandy, how can he do that without it being his mate? How?" I said between sobs.

"I don't know, let me drive home you have had a rough day,"

James's POV:

Sara kissed me and I pulled away immediately. "Sara, I told you that I am not interested, I will only ever love one woman, and it's not you," I told her sternly.

"We don't know that yet, you will know your mate soon enough don't you want to have fun for a bit?"

"Get away from me," Dammit she left. I loved watching her be happy with Amanda.

"But Baby" Sara pouted.

"Not today, not ever, get out of my sight now," I said to her.

"You are making a mistake waiting for her," Sara said and stormed out of the mall.

"Dude you have got it bad for her. Just tell her already," Darren pipes up talking about shelby. They all knew that I am been madly in love with her for a long time. When she turned 15, I made the decision that she was the only one, I was only 17 but my wolf knew she would be mine. I just had to wait one more day for my 18th birthday so I can officially claim her. It was an unspoken rule within the pack, however there was another rule that said to wait for her to be 18.

"I told her last night," I said to him.

"Dude, what happened?" Thomas chimed in.

"Nothing, she does not remember it, she got mad and shifted. I was helping her through it,"

"Maybe next time try for when she is conscious," Andrew said biting back a laugh.

"Or have a costume ball for Halloween and tell her then," Eric, one of the top soldiers. "You will be 18 so your wolf can officially claim her as your mate. Plus, I want to know more about that blonde friend of hers," he concluded.

"Way to be creepy Eric, but not a bad idea or just rent out a nightclub, Shelby has been talking about going to a nightclub for Halloween since the beginning of the year," I say.

"Never really pegged her for the party type," Darren commented.

"She isn't but she is unpredictable and does not like to listen to authority,"

"By authority do you mean you Mr. Alpha?" Thomas teased me.

"Yes, I do mean me,"

"Tell her not to go. It'll only make her want it more," Andrew formulated.

"I have been planning to do that just need it to get a little closer to the time,"

"Does that mean you are going to tell her again?"

"I'm not sure yet," With that, we all got up and went back to the packhouse where we played pool until we went back to our rooms for the next day of school.